Ordnance fuze encoding and decoding system

ABSTRACT

An ordnance fuze system includes a source of D.C. voltages and an encoder located on an ordnance delivery vehicle, such as an aircraft, and a magnetic transducer, decoder, and arming and fuzing circuit located on an ordnance device, such as a bomb. A ternary voltage code is encoded on the aircraft to select the delivery mode, arming time, and fuze options of the bomb. The coded signal is transferred to the bomb at aircraft-bomb separation via the transducer and decoded in the decoder, which includes a plurality of SCR&#39;&#39;s and switch actuators, to initiate the arming and fuzing circuit which includes a plurality of fuze sensors, energy storage devices, switches, and an arming motor. The encoder includes a mechanically initiated ripple option.

United States Patent Grantham et al.

[ 51 June 6, 1972 [54] ORDNANCE FUZE ENCODING AND DECODING SYSTEM [73]Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretaryof the Navy 22 Filed: Apr. 6, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 25,942

[52] U.S. Cl ..'l02/70.2 R, 89/l.5 D

Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-Thomas H. WebbAtt0meyR. S. Sciascia and .I, A. Cooke ABSTRACT An ordnance fuze systemincludes a source of DC. voltages and an encoder located on an ordnancedelivery vehicle, such as an aircraft, and a magnetic transducer,decoder, and arming and fuzing circuit located on an ordnance device,such as a bomb. A ternary voltage code is encoded on the aircraft toselect the delivery mode, arming time, and fuze options of the bomb. Thecoded signal is transferred to the bomb at aircraft- [5]] Int. Cl ..F42c13/00, F42c 15/24, F42c 1 1/02 bomb separation via the transducer anddecoded in the Fleld of Search D; d includes a piurality f SCR'S andswitch actua tors, to initiate the arming and fuzing circuit whichincludes a [56] References Cited plurality of fuze sensors, energystorage devices, switches, and

UNITED STATES PATENTS an arming motor. The encoder includes amechanically initiated ripple option. 3,211,057 10/1965 White, Jr. et al..89/l.5 D 3,387,606 6/1968 Crafts et a1. l 28/l4l 12 Claims, 4 Drawingfigures E N c o D E R DELIVERY RIPPLE FUZE H l7 R gl-E. HIGH A4 A3 F3 F4LOW A5 A2 F2 F5 POWER DIVE Fl F6 MAGNETIC ARM'NG SUPPLY TRANSDUCERDECODER -P AND FUZING MODE LENGTH FUNCTION PATENTEDJUH 6 I972 SHEET 10F4 1 Y m m m o m t Y T a n o v T a W m H m A A a M k E Q C l. AVWH m .m m0 e O 0 H R J Q U; a Y B m M 20.525 1525 woos. daw $880 E8355 1 5&525295 1 on. I m 6 1 550m @255 E 2 23 w v. m. 2 IQ: wJnEE 5 Q MNP. 511E562 50 9 ll m w 0 cu z w PATENTEUJUH 6 I972 3.661392 SHEET 2 OF 4 6a 67A POWER 22 SUPPLY I V o 2/ 66 23 Y T0 COMMON c FIG 24 r W777? 20)) 68 7325'" FARADAY SHIELD /90 79 TO 8/ FIG. k 20) 25 49 ELECTROMAGNETIC CLUTCH82 83 l D K 48 I CONSTANT SPEED CLOCK MOTOR I ENCODLR MAGNIiIIC Fig.2(a) ORDNANCE FUZE ENCODING AND DECODING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates generally to ordnance fuzes and, moreparticularly, to an ordnance fuze encoding and decoding system forproviding a plurality of arming and fuzing options.

l-leretofore employed ordnance fuzes have been devised which provide aplurality of arming and fuzing options. These prior art ordnance fuzeshave been somewhat unsatisfactory, however, since these ordnance devicesmake use of radio frequency (RF) signals to select the desired amiing ordetonation option and, therefore, are somewhat complex, expensive,voluminous or otherwise undesirable. Recently, ordnance fuzes have beendevised which make use of D.C. voltages to select the desired arming orfuzing option. Unfortunately,

however, these D.C. initiated fuzes have been somewhat undesirable inthat they are subject to both AC. and RF signal interference.Additionally, these D.C. signal initiated fuze systems have beensomewhat unsatisfactory in that they do not provide an adequate numberof anning and fuzing options. Still furthermore, D.C. initiated fuzeshave required the use of high D.C. voltages available from the deliveryvehicle to initiate the desired arming or fuzing option.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Accordingly, one object of the present invention isto provide an ordnance fuze having a plurality of arming and fuzingoptions.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an ordnance fuzewhose detonation options and fuzing options are selectable by utilizingD.C. voltages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ordnance fuzethat is immune to A.C. or RF signals.

A still further object of the instant invention is to provide anordnance fuze utilizing a low magnitude direct current voltage as theselecting signal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ordnance fuzethat is not initiated until release of the ordnance device from thedelivery vehicle.

Briefly, these and other objects of the present invention are attainedby providing an ordnance fuze having a plurality of arming and fuzingoptions. D.C. voltages are selectively stored within an encoding unit,located in the delivery vehicle and, upon release of the ordnancedevice, are transmitted to a decoding unit, located within the ordnancefuze, to selectably choose the desired arming and fuzing option. Theencoding and decoding units are connected by a magnetic link to insurethat no output is transmitted to the fuzing and arming options prior toseparation of the delivery vehicle and ordnance device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of theinvention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readilyappreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic view of the ordnance fuze systemaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2(a) and 2(b) comprise a circuit schematic view of variouscomponents of the ordnance fuze system embodied in FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a tabular view showing various applied D.C. voltages and therespective fuzing and arming options associated therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, the ordnance fuzesystem is shown as including a source of direct current voltage, such asa power supply 10, located on the ordnance delivery vehicle,

such as an aircraft or the like. As hereinafler explained, power supply10 supplies D.C. voltages of predetermined polarity to a magnetictransducer 11 located within the ordnance device, such as a bomb or thelike, according to a code selected by an encoder 12 connectedtherebetween. Thus, encoder l2 defines" the voltage of power supply 10.By way of example, magnetic transducer 11 may be similar to thatdisclosed in US. Pat. application Ser. No. 26,479 filed Apr. 8, 1970 byF. E. Wamock and J. H. Malloy for a Magnetic Aircraft Weapon LinkTransducer," which matured into US. Pat. 3,667,342 on the same date asthis application. The particular voltage selectably applied to magnetictransducer 1 l is a function of the switch positions of delivery mode,ripple length and fuze function switches, 13, 14 and 15, respectively,located within encoder 12.

As hereinafter explained, the selected D.C. voltage code is stored inthe input of magnetic transducer 11. Upon physical separation of theaircraft and the bomb, the magnetic transducer output transfers thestored voltage code to a decoder 16 located within the bomb whichselects the particular arming and fuzing option for an arming and fuzingcircuit l7 located in the bomb. It is to be noted that magnetictransducer 1 1 does not supply an output to decoder 16 unles there isconcurrent physical separation of the aircraft and the bomb, and D.C.excitation from encoder 12. More particularly, magnetic transducer 11will not provide an output to decoder 16, and subsequent arrning andfuzing of circuit 17, upon mere physical separation of the aircraft andthe bomb. Similarly, mere D.C. excitation of magnetic transducer 11 fromthe encoder 12 will not provide an output to the decoder, and subsequentarming and fuzing selection, absent physical separation of the bomb andthe aircraft. Other ordnance devices, such as bombs 18 and 19, includingtheir respective magnetic transducers, decoders, and arming and fuzingcircuits, (not shown) may be connected to encoder 12 to provide pluralarming and fuzing capabilities as selected by the voltage applied fromthe encoder.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawing, power supply 10 is adaptable tosupply D.C. voltages +V and V at leads 20 and 21, respectively, tosupply encoder 12 with the desired coding voltage when a double poleswitch 22, 23 is closed. Power supply 10 also includes a point ofreference or common poten tial 24 which is connected to the magnetictransducer and the encoder by a lead 25. A plurality of ganged switches,l3, l4, and 15, corresponding respectively to the delivery mode, ripplelength, and fuze function switches shown in FIG. I, are

located in the encoder.

More particularly, delivery mode switch 13 includes a plurality ofswitch armatures 26, 27, and 28, ganged together for movement in unison,which make contact with dive mode position contacts 29, 30, and 31, highmode position contacts 32, 33, and 34, or low mode position contacts 35,36, and 37, respectively. Similarly, switch armatures 38 and 39, locatedin ripple length switch 14, are ganged together for movement in unisonand make contact with contacts 40 and 41, 42 and 43, 44 and 45, and 46and 47, corresponding, respectively, to various arming times AS-AZ.Switch armatures 38 and 39 are adapted to be moved mechanically, via aconstant speed clock motor 48 and an electromagnetic clutch 49 connectedthereto, in a clock-wise direction as shown by arrowheads 50 and 51. Ashereinafter more frilly explained, constant speed motor 48 andelectromagnetic clutch 49 serve to step switch armatures 38 and 39through the various arming times, thereby varying the arming times forthe individual bombs during the dive and ripple modes of operation. Asindicated in the drawing, fuze function switch 15 includes switcharmatures 52 and 53 ganged together for movement in unison which makecontact with contacts 54-65 corresponding, respectively, to various fuzeoptions F 1-F6.

The switch contacts and switch armatures of delivery mode, ripplelength, and fuze function switches, l3, l4, and 15, respectively, arearranged to selectively apply voltages of +V, V, or 0 volts to the inputwindings of magnetic transducer 1 1. More particularly, an input winding65 of magnetic transducer core A is wound around an iron core 66 and ashorting turn 67 and is connected to switch armature 28 via a lead 68.The other side of input winding 65' is connected, via a lead 69, to lead25 and, therefore, to common potential 24. Similarly, an input winding70 of magnetic transducer core B is wound around an iron core 71 and ashorting turn 72, one side of the input winding being connected via alead 73 to switch armature 27 and the other side of the input windingbeing connected via a lead 74 to common lead 25.

Switch armature 53 of magnetic fuze function switch 15 is attached via alead 75 to one side of an input winding 76 of magnetic transducer core Cwhich is wound around an iron core 77 and a shorting turn 78. A lead 79connects one side of input winding 76 to common lead 25 and, therefore,connects one side of the input winding to reference or common potential.Similarly, switch armature 52 is attached to input winding 80 ormagnetic transducer core D by a lead 81. Input winding 80 is woundaround an iron core 82 and a shorting turn 83 and is connected via alead 84 to common lead 25.

Shorting turns 67, 72, 78, and 83 are wound around the respective ironcores of the magnetic transducer on the input winding side to insurethat mere D.C. excitation of the input winding, absent physicalseparation between the aircraft and the bomb, will not be transferred asD.C. output to the output windings of the transducer.

As hereinbefore mentioned and as hereinafter more fully explained, theswitch contacts of switches 13, 14 and 15, are so arranged that movementof the switch armatures selectively engage the various contacts andselectively apply a predetermined voltage to the various input windingsof the magnetic transducer. Thus, contacts 29 and 36 of delivery modeswitch 13 are connected to lead 20 which carries a voltage of +V whilecontacts 34 and 37 are connected to lead 21 which carries a voltage of Vfor application to the various input windings. Contacts 30 and 31 ofswitch 13 are connected to switch armatures 38 and 39 of ripple lengthswitch 14, respectively, while contacts 32, 33, and 35 of the deliverymode switch are not connected and, therefore, may be eliminated ifdesired. Similarly, contacts 40, 41, 43, and 45-of ripple length switch14 are connected to lead 20 carrying a plus voltage while contacts 44,46, and 47 are connected to the minus voltage lead 21. Contact 42 of theripple length switch is not attached to any point and may be eliminatedif desired. Fuze function contacts 54, 55, 59, 62, and 65 and contacts57, 58, 60, 61, and 63 are connected to the positive voltage and thenegative voltage of power supply 10, respectively, while contacts 56 and64 are not attached and, therefore, may be eliminated.

As hereinbefore explained, the various switch armatures of therespective delivery mode, ripple length, and fuze function switches areganged together for respective movement in unison. Thus, the threeswitch armatures of delivery switch 13 are ganged together for movementin unison while the two switch armatures of fuze function switch 15 areganged together for their respective movement in unison. The switcharmatures of delivery mode and fuze function switches 13 and 15 aremoved manually while the switch armatures of ripple length switch 14 aremoved mechanically by the constant speed motor 48 and theelectromagnetic clutch 49. Electromagnetic clutch 49 is energized tomove the switch armatures upon closure of a weapon release switch 85connected thereto.

The inputs to the magnetic transducer are selectably energized with apredetermined voltage and, upon physical separation of the bomb and theaircraft, a voltage is induced at the respective magnetic transduceroutputs. An output winding 86 of magnetic transducer core A is woundaround an iron core 87 with polarity as shown and is grounded in themiddle to resemble a center tapped transformer. A plurality of switchactuators 88 and 89, and 90, 91, and 92 are connected to output winding86 via leads 93 and 94, respectively. Switch actuators 88-92 areadapted, when actuated, to close switch contacts 95, 96, 97, 98, and 99corresponding, as hereinafter more fully explained, to the variousarming times Al-AS, respectively. As hereinafter more fully explained,switch actuators 88-92 are selectably actuated to close theircorresponding switches -99 and, thereby, select the desired amring time,when unidirectional semiconductive devices, connected to the switchactuators, are rendered conductive. More specifically, a triggerablesemiconductive device, such as a SCR 110, the anode of which isconnected to the switch actuator and the cathode of which is grounded,is rendered conductive to energize switch actuator 88 and, thereby,close switch contact 95 which arms the bomb after a predetermined armingtime interval A1. Similarly, triggerable semiconductive devices, such asSCRs 111, 1 12, 113, and 114, are connected to switch actuators 89-92,respectively, and are selectively rendered conductive to energize theswitch actuator con nected thereto and, therefore, close thecorresponding switch contact to select the arming time A2, A3, A4, or A5of the bomb. 7

Various resistive impedances, such as a resistor of resistance value R,are connected to the gate terminals of the SCRs to trigger the SCRs intoconduction. An output winding 1 16, wound around an iron core 1 17 withpolarity as shown, is grounded at the center to provide an electricaloutput at lead 118 and 119 at concurrent D.C. excitation and bombseparation. Resistors 120 and 121, of resistance R, are connected toleads 118 and 119 to provide a trigger signal to the gates of SCRs 1 14and 11 1, respectively. One side of resistor 122 of resistance R/2 isconnected to the gates of SCRs 110 and 113. The other side of resistor122 is attached to the juncture of semiconductive devices, such asdiodes 123 and 124, and back to the output winding 116 via leads 118 and119. Resistors 125 and 126, of resistance value 2R, are connectedbetween the gates of SCRs 111 and 114. it is to be noted, of course,that the values of the various resistors are given by way of exampleonly.

Core C of magnetic transducer 11 includes, on its output side, an outputwinding 127 wound around an iron core 128 with polarity as shown andgrounded in the center to provide electrical output at leads 129 and139. A pluralityof switch actuators, such as explosive switches 131,132, 133,- 134, and 135, are connected to output winding 127 via leads129 or 130. The switch actuators are actuated by triggerablesemiconductor devices, such as SCRs 136, 137, 138, 139, and connectedthereto, to effect closure or opening of switches 142, 143, 144, 145,and 146 as shown by their respective arrowheads. Thus, conduction of SCR136 energizes switch actuator 131 to effect closure of switch '141 andopening of switch 142 and so on. As hereinafter more fully explained,the selective opening or closing of switches 141-146 selects the desiredfuze function or detonation option which may be, for example, impact, orimpact plus time delay or the like.

An output winding 147 is wound around an iron core 148 of magnetictransducer core D with polarity as shown and grounded at the center toprovide electrical signals at leads 149 and 150. Resistive impedancesare connected to the gates of the various SCRs to provide triggersignals thereto responsive to the electrical signals appearing at leads129, 130, 149, and 150. Thus a resistor 151 of resistance R is connectedbetween lead 129 and the gate of SCR 140 to provide a trigger signal tothe SCR. Similarly, resistors 152 and 153 are connected to lead 149 andthe gate of SCR 139, and to lead and the gate of SCR 138, respectiv ely.One side of a resistor 154 is attached to the gate of SCR 140 while theother side is connected to the juncture of semiconductive unidirectionaldevices, such as diodes 155 and 156. The other side of the diodes areconnected, respectively, to leads 149 and 150 and, therefore, to outputwindin g 147. Two other resistors 157 and 158 of resistance value 2R areconnected, respectively, to the gate of SCR's 138 and 139. The junctureof the resistors are attached, via a lead 159, to the juncture of twounidirectional semiconductive devices, such as diodes 160 and 161. The

other side of diodes 160 and 161 are connected to leads 129 and 130,respectively, and therefore, to output winding 127. The purpose ofresistors 125, 126, 127, and 128 is to provide reverse bias to the SCRgates when no trigger signal is present. A lead 162 couples the junctureof lead 129 and diodes 160 and 161 with the juncture of resistors 125and 126.

As hereinafter more fully explained, magnetic transducer 11 is utilizedas both an option selection circuit and a power transfer circuit betweenthe aircraft and the bomb. More particularly, cores A, B, C, and D areselectively energized to select SCRs 110-114 and 137-140 which actuatethe various explosive actuators to close the corresponding switches and,therefore, determine the fuzing and arming option. Magnetic cores A andC also transfer power to the arming and fuzing circuits attached to thedecoder 16 as well as transferring option information. To facilitatethis power transfer, it may be desirable that the iron cores of core Aand core C be larger than the iron cores of core B and D. Thus iron core66 is larger than iron core 71, iron core 87 is larger than iron core117, etc. Power for the arming and fuzing circuit 17 is selectivelyavailable from cores A and C via output leads 94 and 93, and 129 and130, respectively. Unidirectional semiconductor devices, such as diodes162, 163, 164, and 165, are inserted in output leads 194, 193, 129, and130, respectively, to insure that only positive outputs from the outputwinding of the cores will be transferred to the arming and fuzingcircuit 17. A lead 166 connects the cathode of diodes 162-165 together.An energy storage device, such as a parallel connected capacitor 167,and a resistor 168, are attached to leads 166 and is supplied withenergy from the output of cores A and C. As hereinafter more fullyexplained, capacitor 167 and resistor 168 form an energy storage circuitfor supplying power to fuzing option circuitry to detonate the bomb.Similarly, an energy storage device, such as a parallel connectedcapacitor 169 and a resistor 170, is connected to lead 166 through aunidirectional semiconductive device, such as a diode 171. As

hereinafter more fully explained, capacitor 169 is charged up withenergy from output cores A or C and this energy is utilized to arm thebomb. Diode 171 may advantageously be inserted between lead 166 and thecapacitor 169 to prevent discharge of the capacitor back to the decoderor magnetic transducer circuits.

A conventional arming timer 172, attached to lead 166, moves a switcharmature 173 attached capacitor 169 in the direction of arrowhead 174.As switch armature 173 rotates, it makes contact with switches 95-99 anda lead 175 corresponding, respectively, to arming times Al-A6. Anenvironmental sensor 176 is attached to switches 95-99 and lead 175, andis adapted to close upon the sensing of any desired condition. By way ofexample, environmental sensor 176 may be an accelerometer or the likeadapted to close upon separation of the bomb and the aircraft. Suchdevices are well known in the ordnance fuze art.

As hereinafter more fully explained, rotation of switch armature 173makes contact with switches 95-99, which may be selectively closed, andlead 175. If the environmental sensor 176 is closed, contact of switcharmature 173 and concurrence of a closed switch, such as switch 95,allows capacitor 169 to discharge through switch armature 173, closedswitch 95, and environmental sensor 176 to actuate a conventionalbellows motor 177 connected thereto. Actuation of bellows motor 177, asindicated by linkage 178, closes a switch 179 to a-detonator 180 and,therefore, arms the bomb. It is to be noted that if none of the switches95-99 are closed, then switch armature 173 will make contact with lead175, corresponding to arming time A6, and the bomb will be armed at thatparticular time assuming, of course, that the environmental sensor isclosed.

The fuzing portion of fuzing and arming circuit 17 includes fuze sensors181 and 182 connected to energy storage capacitor 167 via lead 166. Theother side of fuze sensors 181 and 182 are connected through switches141 and 142, respectively, to a time delay circuit, including seriallyconnected resistors 183 and 184 shunted by switches 143 and 144, respectively, and a capacitor 185. lt is readily apparent, therefore, that theselective opening and closing of shunt switches 143 and 144 may vary thetime delay of the time delay circuit by changing the time constant ofthe circuit. Thus, for example, when both shunt switches 143 and 144 areopened, one predetermined time delay is provided. Similarly, when bothshunt switches are closed, no time delay is provided, etc.

Fuze sensors 181 and 182 may be responsive to any desired detonationcondition such as impact, or proximity, or the like and, when closed,connect energy storage capacitor 167 to the time delay circuitdepending, of course, on the position of switches 141 and 142. Theoutput of the time delay circuit is connected to a gate 186 of atriggerable device, such as SCR 187. Upon triggering of the SCR, at atime dependent on the time delay of the time delay circuit, and theclosure of fuze sensor 181 or fuze sensor 182, capacitor 167 dischargesthrough the SCR and closed switch 179, which has been closed at arming,to detonator 180 to explode the bomb. Similarly, an additional fuzesensor 188, including its own power source 189, may be included to beresponsive to a desired detonation condition independent of the energyon capacitor 167. Upon closure of fuze sensor 188, energy source 189will discharge, depending on the position of switches and 146, throughclosed switch 179 to detonator to explode the bomb. Fuze sensors 181,182, and 188 may be of any type well known in the ordnance fuze art.

To prevent incorrect operation of the coder circuit 16 and correspondingincorrect fuzing and arming selection in circuit 17, shieldingtechniques such as a Faraday shield 190 may be included between theinput and output of magnetic transducer 1 1 to protect the transducerfrom stray RF signals.

The system of the present invention utilizes ternary logic, such as 0,to choose the arming times and fuze options. Use of ternary logic allowsgreater weapon flexibility by providing a greater choice of arming andfuzing selection with fewer components than if conventional binary logicis employed. The ternary logic is impressed on cores A, B, C, and D oftransducer 11 responsive to encoder 12 and the position of deliverymode, ripple length, and fuze function switches 13, 14, and 15,respectively, therein.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawing, the ternary logic code employedin the present invention is shown in tabular form. High altitude, rippledive, and low altitude delivery modes are selectively available for thebomb depending on the position of delivery mode switch 13. inconjunction therewith, fuze options F 1-F6 are available and areselected depending on the position of fuze function switch 15. If thehigh altitude mode of delivery is selected, the bomb will be armed attime A6 regardless of the fuze option selected. Similarly, if the lowaltitude delivery mode is selected, the bomb will be armed at a time A1independent on the fuze option selection. During the rippledive-delivery mode, the arming times A5-A2 are automatically varied asthe aircraft approaches the target, depending on the position of ripplelength switch 14. Thus, if ripple length switch 14 is set at positionAS, the arming times will be automatically shortened from A5, to A4, toA3, and, finally, to A2 by the rotation of switch armatures 38 and 39moved by constant speed motor 48 via the electromagnetic clutch 49 asshown in FIG. 2. Similarly, if the ripple length switch 14 is set atposition A4, the arming times will automatically shorten from A4 to A2,and so on. It is to be noted that the ripple length delivery mode, asdetermined by ripple length switch 14, occurs only when the deliverymode switch 13 is in its dive position. Thus, ripple delivery mode isadvantageously utilized when the aircraft is in a dive delivery mode toshorten the arming time of the bomb as the aircraft approaches thetarget. Since information is transferred from the aircraft to the bombonly after D.C. excitation and subsequent physical separation, thearming time of a particular bomb, during ripple delivery, will bedetermined by the particular code available at the encoder during theparticular moment of separation of that bomb from the aircraft. It is tobe noted that when ripple length switch 14 is in the A2 position,corresponding to switch armatures 38 and 39 in contact with contacts 46and 47, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2, the switch armatures are intheir end position and, therefore, the arming time will not be variedbut will remain at A2 during the entire dive.

Reference to FIG. 3 of the drawing reveals that the ternary logic codeemployed in the embodiment of the present invention is a non-hazar codein that only one core A, B, C, or D of magnetic transducer 11 isprogressively changed during the variation of the arming times for aparticular fuze option. Thus, for fuze option F1, as the arming time ischanged during ripple delivery from A to A2 only one core excitation isvaried from one arming time to the next. More particularly, as thearming time varies A5 to A4 the excitation of core B is varied but theexcitation of the remaining cores remain the same. This insures that nostate is passed through which would give an arming time out of sequenceor change the fuze function selected. Thus, there are no logic hazardswhen rippling from A5 to A2. In fact, this prevention of logical hazardsis extended to include transition from the high altitude arm A6, throughripple dive, to the low altitude arm Al.

The operation of the bomb fuze system may bestbe understood with regardto a particular example corresponding to a desired fuze option andarming time, it being understood, of course, that a like analysisapplies to the other fuze option and arming time combinations. Let it beassumed that a pilot or the like on the aircraft desires to deliver thebomb in a dive delivery mode with an arming time A2 for a fuze optionF 1. He selects the desired combination of delivery mode, ripple length,and fuze function positions on the encoder panels of FIG. 1. Referringto FIG. 3 of the drawing, it is seen that this combination correspondsto a logic code and imposed on cores A, B, C, and D of the magnetictransducer, respectively.

FIG. 2 of the drawing shows the various encoder positions correspondingto the encoder positions of FIG. 1. More particularly, switch armatures26, 27, and 28 make contact with contacts 29, 30, and 31, respectively,corresponding to the dive position of delivery mode switch 13. Thearmatures of ripple length switch 14 are in the A2 position since switcharmatures 38 and 39 are in contact with contacts 46 and 47. Stillfurthermore, armatures 52 and 53 in fuze function selection switch 15make contact with contacts 54 and 55 which are the F1 fuze functioncontacts.

Upon closure of double pole switch 22, 23, +V and V voltages areavailable at lead 20 and 21, respectively. Upon closure of switch 23, Vvolts are supplied to the input winding of core A through a pathincluding lead 21 contact 47, switch armature 39, contact 31, switcharmature 28 and lead 68. Thus, core A is excited with a polarity at itsdotted winding. Similarly, core B is supplied with a polarity at itsinput wind-. ing via a path including lead 21, contact 46, switcharmature 38, contact 30, switch armature 27 to lead 73. Similarly, apath of positive voltage may be traced from power supply to core C and Dwhen switch 22 of the double pole switch is closed and the armatures offuze function switch are in the position as shown. More particularly, apath is extended from the power supply, contacts 22, lead 20, contact55, switch armature 53 to a lead 75 and the input of core C. Likewise, apath is extended from the positive power supply terminal through lead20, contact 54, switch armature 52, and lead 81 to the input winding ofcore D. It is readily apparent that the excitation of the input windingsof the magnetic cores with the aforementioned voltages and polaritiescorrespond to the ternary code shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing and,therefore correspond to the desired fuze option F1 and arming time A2.Similarly, other excitations of the magnetic transducer corresponding tothe other fuze options and arming times may be imposed on the coresdepending on the positions of the delivery mode, ripple length, and fuzefunction switches 13, 14, and 15. Still furthermore, as hereinbeforeexplained, when delivery mode switch 13 is in its dive position and whenripple length switch 14 is set at arming times A5, or A4, or A3,

the constant speed clock motor 48 will translate the switch armatures 38and 39 of the ripple length switch to progressively vary the armingtimes of the bomb during ripple-dive delivery.

As hereinbefore explained, mere D.C. excitation of the magnetictransducer cores 11 from encoder 12, absent physical separation of theaircraft and the bomb, will not efiect the desired fuzing and arminginitiation of the bomb. Thus, trans ducer 11 will not transfer the codeuntil physical separation. Upon separation of the bomb and the aircraft,the DC. excitation available at the input windings of the magnetic coreswill be transferred to the corresponding output windings of the magnetictransducer cores. Thus, upon physical separation of output winding 86from the negatively excited input winding 65 V volts will be availableat output winding 94 and +V volts will be available at output lead 93 ofoutput winding 86 due to the magnetic coupling between the input andoutput coils of magnetic core A and the polarity of excitation of theinput winding. Similarly, V volts will be available at leads 118, 130,and 150 while +V volts will be available at leads 119, 129, and 149 ofthe output cores corresponding to the particular excitation of theircorresponding input windings.

The availability of a negative-voltage at output lead 94 insures thatSCRs 112, 113, and 114 will not be triggered since a positive voltage isrequired to be impressed upon the anode of an SCR before it can befired. This positive voltage is available at lead 93 and, therefore,either SCR or SCR 11 1 will be triggered depending on the proper triggersignal available at their corresponding gates. A positive trigger signalis applied to the gate of SCR 111 via lead 119 and resistor 121 toaffect conduction of the SCR and, therefore, actuate explosive switch 89connected in the SCR anode circuit, to close switch contact 96. Toinsure that SCR 1 10 is not triggered by a spurious positive voltagewhich may be available at its gate, the gate is negatively biased with anegative voltage from a path including lead 118, diode 123 and resistor122. A like analysis for the other arming and fuzing options likewiseshows that only one SCR is triggered at a time and that if the voltageavailable at the anode of the other SCRs would allow triggering of morethan the desired SCR, then the gates of the nontriggered SCRs are biasednegatively to ensure that they will not conduct due to any spuriouspositive signals applied to their gates.

As hereinbefore explained, a positive voltage is available at leads 129and 149 and a negative voltage is available at leads 130 and 150corresponding to the selected voltages applied to the input windings ofthe magnetic transducer. A positive voltage at lead 129 enables SCRs136, 137 and to be triggered depending on which SCR is gated correctly,while the negative voltage available at lead 130 cannot trigger SCRs 138or 139 since the anodes of the latter SCRs are negatively biased.

A positive voltage is applied to the gate of SCR 136 from lead 149 ofmagnetic core D and resistor 152 connected thereto to trigger the SCR136 and, therefore, initiate operation of electroexplosive switch 131 toclose switch contact 141 and open switch contact 142. While SCRs 137 and140 have the proper anode voltage to be rendered conductive, SCR 137 isbiased in its non-conductive state by the application of a negativevoltage to its gate from output lead 150 and resistor 153. Similarly, apositive voltage is applied to the gate of SCR 140 through a pathincluding lead 129 and resistor 151 of resistance value R. Normally, apositive voltage applied to the gate of SCR 140 in conjunction with apositive voltage applied to its anode would trigger the SCR to actuateelectroexplosive switch 135. It is noted, however, that a negativevoltage is applied to the gate of SCR 140 via lead 150, diode 156 andresistor 154 of resistance value R12. Since the value of resistor 151 isgreater than the value of resistor 154, the net current applied to thegate of SCR 140 is negative and, therefore, SCR 140 will not betriggered.

The closure of normally open switch 141 and the opening of normallyclosed switch 142 selectively inserts fuze sensor 181 into the fuzingand arming circuit 17. It is readily apparent, of

course, that the selection of other codes at encoder 12 will causeactivation of other explosive switch actuators to open or close theirswitch contacts and, therefore, insert other fuze sensors, or other timedelays, or the like, into the arming and fuzing circuit.

As hereinbefore explained, the magnetic transducer 11 also serves as apower link between the aircraft and the bomb as well as selecting thefuzing and arming options. More particularly, magnetic transducer coresA and C transfer energy from the power supply to the fuzing and armingcircuit via leads 94, 93, 129, and 130. At separation, the positivevoltage available at leads 93 and 129 will be passed via diodes 163 and164 to charge up energy storage device 169, actuate arming timer 172,and charge up energy storage device 167. Of course, the negativevoltages available at the other leads 94 and 130 will be blocked by theaction of diodes 162 and 165. The actuation of arming timer 172 willsweep switch armature 173 in the direction of arrowhead 174 andcapacitor 169, which has been charged up with polarity as shown, willdischarge through closed switch 96 and closed environmental sensor 176to initiate operation of the bellows motor 177. Thus, the actuation ofthe bellows motor closes a switch 179 to arm the bomb at the desiredarming time A2. Likewise, if the other switch contacts 95, or 97, or 98,or 99 had been selectively closed, or if the switch armature had madecontact with lead 175, the bomb would be armed at the other armingtimes.

It is readily apparent, therefore, the DC energization of the magnetictransducer at physical separation determines the arming time and fuzingoptions of the bomb, such as, in the hereinbefore example by closingswitch 96, and by closing switch 141 and opening switch 142,respectively.

Responsive to a desired sensed condition by fuze sensor 181, switch 181therein will close and capacitor 167 will partially discharge through apath including lead 166, fuze sensor 181, switch 141, and closedswitches 143 and 144 to trigger SCR 187 and render it conductive.Capacitor 167 will then discharge through SCR 187, closed switch 179,and detonator 180 to explode the fuze. Obviously, the selection of theother fuzing option switches such as, for example, switch 143 and 144will render a time delay between fuze sensing and detonation. Also, ashereinbefore explained, the other fuze sensors may be selectivelyinserted into the arming and fuzing circuits to provide other fuzingoptions depending, of course, on the particular code transferred fromencoder 12 to decoder 16 via magnetic transducer 1 1.

It is readily apparent, therefore, that the fuze system of the presentinvention provides selective arming and fuzing options. Similarly, thesystem is both RF and A.C. shielded and, also, requires both D.C.excitation and physical separation for bomb initiation.

()bviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, otherternary codes may be employed to choose the arming and fuzing options.It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appendedclaims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed herein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. An ordnance fuzing system comprising means connectable to a source ofreference voltage,

means for selectively defining said reference'voltage in ternary logic,

means for transferring said selectively defined reference voltage uponthe occurrence of a predetermined condition,

means responsive to said transferring means for ascertaining informationfrom said defined voltage, and

means responsive to said ascertained information of said defined voltageand to the power supplied by said defined voltage for selectively armingand detonating the fuze.

2. An ordnance fuzing system according to claim 1 wherein said means forselectively defining said reference voltage is an encoder means,

said means for transferring said selectively defined reference voltageis a magnetic transducer means, said means for ascertaining informationfrom said defined voltage is a decoder means, and said means forselectively arming and detonating said fuze is an arming and fuzingcircuit means. 3. An ordnance fuzing system according to claim 2 whereinsaid encoder means includes means responsive to said fuze forselectively predetermining the arming time of said fuze, and

means for selectively predetermining the fuzing opu'on of said fuze. 4.An ordnance fuzing system according to claim 3 wherein said encodermeans further includes means for automatically varying saidpredetermined arming time when said means for selectively predeterminingsaid arming time is responsive to a predetermined voltage signalindicative of a predetermined delivery mode. 5. An ordnance fuzingsystem according to claim 2 wherein said magnetic transducer meansincludes at least one magnetic core having an input winding and anoutput winding, and said predetermined condition is concurrentexcitation of said magnetic core and relative movement of said input andoutput windings. 6. An ordnance fuzing system according to claim 5wherein said magnetic core of said magnetic transducer means isselectively excited by said encoder means. 7. An ordnance fuzing systemaccording to claim 6 wherein said magnetic transducer means transfersinformation to said decoder means and transfers power to said arming anddetonating means. 8. An ordnance fuzing system according to claim 2wherein said decoder means includes switch means responsive to saiddefined reference voltage and selectively rendered conductive thereby,means responsive to conduction of said switch means for selectivelydetermining an energy path in said arming and fuzing circuit means.

9. An ordnance fuzing system according to claim 8 wherein said switchmeans responsive to said defined reference voltage is a triggerablesemiconductive device. 10. An ordnance fuzing system according to claim9 wherein said triggerable semiconductive device is a SCR. 11. Anordnance fuzing system according to claim 2 wherein said arming andfuzing circuit means includes energy storage means responsive to saidpower supplied by said defined voltage, and

switch means responsive to the signal intelligence of said definedvoltage for selectively completing an energy path from said energystorage means to arm and detonate said fuze. 12. An ordnance fuzecomprising means connectable to a source of reference voltage, encodermeans for selectively defining said reference voltage said encoder meansin ternary logic including means responsive to said fuze for selectivelypredetermining the arming time of said fuze, means for predeterminingthe detonation option of said fuze, and means for automatically varyingsaid predetermined arming time, a magnetic transducer means fortransferring said selectively defined reference voltage including atleast one magnetic core having an input winding and an output winding,said transfer occurring at concurrent excitation of said magnetic coreby said defined voltage and relative movement of said input and outputwindings, decoder means for ascertaining information from said definedvoltage including triggerable semiconductive switch means responsive tosaid defined voltage and selectively rendered conductive thereby andmeans responsive to said triggerable semiconductive switch actuatormeans for selectively determining an energy path in said fuze and

1. An ordnance fuzing system comprising means connectable to a source ofreference voltage, means for selectively defining said reference voltagein ternary logic, means for transferring said selectively definedreference voltage upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition,means responsive to said transferring means for ascertaining informationfrom said defined voltage, and means responsive to said ascertainedinformation of said defined voltage and to the power supplied by saiddefined voltage for selectively arming and detonating the fuze.
 2. Anordnance fuzing system according to claim 1 wherein said means forselectively defining said reference voltage is an encoder means, saidmeans for transferring said selectively defined reference voltage is amagnetic transducer means, said means for ascertaining information fromsaid defined voltage is a decoder means, and said means for selectivelyArming and detonating said fuze is an arming and fuzing circuit means.3. An ordnance fuzing system according to claim 2 wherein said encodermeans includes means responsive to said fuze for selectivelypredetermining the arming time of said fuze, and means for selectivelypredetermining the fuzing option of said fuze.
 4. An ordnance fuzingsystem according to claim 3 wherein said encoder means further includesmeans for automatically varying said predetermined arming time when saidmeans for selectively predetermining said arming time is responsive to apredetermined voltage signal indicative of a predetermined deliverymode.
 5. An ordnance fuzing system according to claim 2 wherein saidmagnetic transducer means includes at least one magnetic core having aninput winding and an output winding, and said predetermined condition isconcurrent excitation of said magnetic core and relative movement ofsaid input and output windings.
 6. An ordnance fuzing system accordingto claim 5 wherein said magnetic core of said magnetic transducer meansis selectively excited by said encoder means.
 7. An ordnance fuzingsystem according to claim 6 wherein said magnetic transducer meanstransfers information to said decoder means and transfers power to saidarming and detonating means.
 8. An ordnance fuzing system according toclaim 2 wherein said decoder means includes switch means responsive tosaid defined reference voltage and selectively rendered conductivethereby, means responsive to conduction of said switch means forselectively determining an energy path in said arming and fuzing circuitmeans.
 9. An ordnance fuzing system according to claim 8 wherein saidswitch means responsive to said defined reference voltage is atriggerable semiconductive device.
 10. An ordnance fuzing systemaccording to claim 9 wherein said triggerable semiconductive device is aSCR.
 11. An ordnance fuzing system according to claim 2 wherein saidarming and fuzing circuit means includes energy storage means responsiveto said power supplied by said defined voltage, and switch meansresponsive to the signal intelligence of said defined voltage forselectively completing an energy path from said energy storage means toarm and detonate said fuze.
 12. An ordnance fuze comprising meansconnectable to a source of reference voltage, encoder means forselectively defining said reference voltage said encoder means internary logic including means responsive to said fuze for selectivelypredetermining the arming time of said fuze, means for predeterminingthe detonation option of said fuze, and means for automatically varyingsaid predetermined arming time, a magnetic transducer means fortransferring said selectively defined reference voltage including atleast one magnetic core having an input winding and an output winding,said transfer occurring at concurrent excitation of said magnetic coreby said defined voltage and relative movement of said input and outputwindings, decoder means for ascertaining information from said definedvoltage including triggerable semiconductive switch means responsive tosaid defined voltage and selectively rendered conductive thereby andmeans responsive to said triggerable semiconductive switch actuatormeans for selectively determining an energy path in said fuze and anarming and fuzing circuit means including energy storage means forstoring energy provided by said defined voltage, and switch meansresponsive to said switch actuator means for completing an energy pathfrom said energy storage means to selectively arm and detonate saidfuze.